Preview
  • Dear Life

  • Words + Music, Vol. 28
  • By: Beck
  • Narrated by: Beck
  • Length: 1 hr and 48 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (1,372 ratings)

Dear Life

By: Beck
Narrated by: Beck

Publisher's summary

Beck’s story begins when the curiosity of a young loner leads him to explore and discover a series of magical places that shape the architecture of his personal and creative identities: a public library, a community college, an artistic community in a desolate section of a long since disappeared L.A. He seeks out and happens upon mentors and trials, allies and enemies, and discovers a birthright to an artistic legacy that connects his family to Andy Warhol, the beat poets, and the Velvet Underground. Inspired, Beck sets out on his own creative path, a modern version of the classic hero’s journey.

These are his Words + Music.

A true musical polymath, Beck shifts between and blends genres and generations with a preternatural ease—one foot in the secret history of American music and the other moving toward the future. Consistently brushed off by industry gatekeepers on both coasts, Beck perseveres—ultimately building a bespoke audience of millions who share his borderless musical vision.

The music included in Dear Life spans Beck’s entire career and mirrors his always ongoing and never predictable creative evolution. Beck returns to some of his most important songs— “Loser,” “Where It’s At,” “Lost Cause,” and many more—with fresh context and insights provided by decades of experience. In Dear Life, Beck proves that the most powerful art is made by those who are brave enough to be fully themselves.

©2022 Audible Originals LLC (P)2022 Audible Originals, LLC.
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About the Creator and Performer

2022 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nominee and eight-time Grammy-winner Beck has traveled light years from his emergence as a reluctant generational spokesperson when "Loser" exploded into a ubiquitous 1994 smash. Beck's singular vision has since seen him utilize all manners and eras of music, blazing a path into the future while foraging through the past.
Surfacing just as mainstream and alternative intersected, no small thanks to his 1994 debut Mellow Gold, Beck quickly confounded expectations with subsequent releases including the lo-fi folk of One Foot in the Grave and 1996’s multi-platinum Odelay—which has remained a cultural touchstone for generations.
Beck’s creative evolution has always progressed at an exponential rate. From the atmospherics of 1998's Mutations and the florescent funk of 1999's Midnite Vultures, the somber reflections of 2002's Sea Change, 2005's tour de force Guero and 2006's sprawling The Information, 2008's acclaimed Modern Guilt, 2014’s Album of the Year Grammy winner Morning Phase, the "euphoric blast of experimental pop" (Rolling Stone) that was 2017’s Colors and his 2019 "best in a decade" (People) Hyperspace… No Beck record has ever sounded like its predecessor—though The New York Times notes a consistent thread: "Though Beck’s records through the years have tended toward maximalism, a kind of meticulous sonic gorgeousness, melody remains central to his art."

What listeners say about Dear Life

Average customer ratings
Overall
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a love letter from Beck

it was so nice to hear Beck's story in his own words. He's always been fairly enigmatic; it was endearing and powerful to hear him speak of his vulnerabilities and creative process with such candor. I've enjoyed his music for decades and it was such a treat to get to know him a little through this.
...Now do one on Josh Homme!

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New Fan

I am now a Beck fan! I knew so little about him before listening to this production; what a great guy! Beck is the kind of person you wish was your friend because he’s so down to earth and likable!
Bravo, Dude… well done!

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I’ve been with since the beginning

Was great to hear this legend tell his story. I’ve been following since the very beginning. We grew up together.

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More Than Just Mellow Gold

Someday people will realize they undervalued Beck & will dream of what could've been if we got the full potential of his talent

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Doesn’t hurt …

that I have been a big fan of Beck’s music from the start. His uncanny way to success and back stories on how much of his work was met with rejection were surprising. Loved hearing about his family’s visual art and velvet underground music connections. His grandpa was cool. I would have liked to hear more gritty details, but this was a fine brief snippet into a dear life. I have only really followed the music and knew nothing of him/ his story. Thanks for sharing, Mr Beck, sir!

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Beck shares with us.

I truly enjoyed hearing Beck share his story. It was great. A personal retrospective giving many aspects of his art and career.

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How could it miss

I love Beck so this telling of his life and music by HIMSELF!!!! Loved every minute. Bought some more Beck I had been missing. Love!!!

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Amazing

I discovered a musician I knew but didn’t know I loved. You should listen. You won’t regret it.

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Interesting Beck bio

Really nice back story of Beck (in his own words). A little music mixed in as well (sounds like new arrangements of a few hit songs). A history of LA is part of his upbringing. I wanted more!

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Shannon J

Great listen. Beck is very interesting and his music is amazing. It was a great perspective on where he started and that he beats to his own drum and won’t let outside influences sway his creative decisions.

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